American Idol Inspires Spelman

inside the spotlight Latest Hip-Hop Albums Spotlight Approved Spelmanite Jay-Z, Trey Songtz and Kid Cudi’s albums Metro Diner Cafe in downtown Atlanta offers Makes iDex are all put to the test an All-American menu with a Greek twist and a Spelman junior makes page 8 lively karaoke floor, iPhone application, page 8 page 6 [email protected] September 30, 2009 The Voice of African-American Womanhood College Mourns Loss of Jasmine Lynn Administrators and students react in wake of fatal shooting Michelle D. Anderson Managing Editor Within 24 hours of the shoot ing and subsequent death of Jas mine Lynn on Clark Atlanta Uni versity’s campus on Sept. 3, road blockages, identification checks and residence hall lock downs were in full effect. The incident has since generated increased campus security and new safety protocols - especially at CAU. Lynn, a 19-year-old sopho more at Spelman College from Kansas City, Mo., was hit in the chest by a stray bullet fired in the midst of an altercation between two groups of young adults near CAU’s Heritage Commons apart ment complex. In an official statement ad dressed to The Spelman Spotlight on Sept. 16, CAU president Carl ton E. Brown said he requested a temporary shutdown of James P. Brawley Drive within hours of the incident. The University’s public safety department request ed the barricades set up by the Atlanta Police Department later that day, Brown said. The barricades block James P. Brawley Drive between Parsons PHOTO BY: FURERY REID, SPELMAN COLLEGE Street and Martin Luther King, Students march for Atlanta University Center unity in memory of the late Jasmine Lynn Jr., Drive. Barriers also block Mitchell Street between James P. Brawley Drive and Raymond Spelman alumna American Idol Street. Joey Greene, a CAU fresh man who lives in Ware Hall, a runs for Atlanta inspires Spelman dorm right across the street from where the shooting occurred, said he first noticed the barricades the day after the accident. Mayor women Greene said he was happy to see the road obstructions, but Ashley Brooke Brown Kirstin Cherise Evans said he wished they were erected Stajf Writer Assistant News Editor earlier. Greene, an accounting major, As a Spelman woman, choosing to change the world is the “American Idol” winner Fantasia Barrino shared her trails and first heard the gunshots while name of the game. Alumna Tiffany Brown, 30, says she’s rap tribulations and offered inspirational words of wisdom to Spelman studying early in the morning. idly taking steps to embody this goal by running for mayor of College students during a recent visit to the campus. Barrino, cur “Why did it take someone to get Atlanta. rent star of the Brodway musical “The Color Purple” engaged stu killed for barricades to go up?” Her platform, “Reinvest in Atlanta, Creating a better com dents in a candid discussion where she encouraged young women Greene said campus safety is munity for future generations,” focuses on seven key areas of to be comfortable and honest in everything they do. not as effective as it should be. improvement for the city: public safety, infrastructure, Barrino spoke in Sisters Chapel on Sept. 17. Characteristic of “They’re focusing on the Continued on page 6 Continued on page 2 Continued on page 5 ..becauseyou can’t change the world if there’s nothing left of it- Page 2 ---------------------------------- SPELMAN COLLEGE ------------------------------------------------------- Fantasia Barrino visits Spelman JAGUAR ATHLETICS Continuedfrom frontpage don’t pay attention to the media her welcoming personality, Bar because, once again, that’s some rino choose to speak from the isles one getting in the way of my Show your jaguar spirit at these rather than a podium, creating an destiny.” upcoming athletic events: intimate and comfortable atmo The star also talked about her sphere for the students. evolving career and her transi CROSSCOUNTRY Barrino’s message centered tion from singing and perform around encouraging Spelman stu ing in live concerts to acting and dents to reach out to young girls bringing a character to life on 10/8/09, 4 p.m., AUC Invitational, and become positive role models in stage. Jonesboro, Ga. their communities. “Help this cra Prior to joining “The Color 10/10/09, 9 a.m., Southern zy world we live in today,” she told Purple” Fantasia said she had Challenge, Marietta, Ga. students, who packed into the cha never witnessed a Broadway 10/17/09, 9 a.m., Oglethorpe show. However, her role as Celie pel to listen to the R&B/Soul diva. Invitational, Atlanta, Ga. gave her the opportunity to ex Barrino shared her own trials 10/31/09, 10a.m.,GSAC and tribulations on her road to plore another aspect of the en fame. She spoke about the hard tertainment world, she said. Championships, LaGrange, Ga. ships in her personal life and her In the film and play adaptation struggles throughout the Ameri of Alice Walker’s award winning SOCCER can Idol competition. novel, the character Celie is un educated, abused and struggles “The things that I went through Barrino reprised her role as Celle in the North Ameri 9/30/09, Away, 7 p.m., Emory made me who I am today,” she said. can touring production of the "The Color Purple" on with self-esteem issues. 10/6/09, Home, 4 p.m., LaGrange Barrino also spoke about her abu Sept. 15 at the Fox Theatre. The Atlanta tour ends on Similar to the embattled char Sept. 27 sive relationship and the challenges acter, Barrino faced domestic of being a teen mother. Ridiculed ality competition show, Barrino re violence, allowing her to connect VOLLEYBALL by naysayers, Fantasia said people ceived a lot of backlash, but she did with the musical’s central character. looked down on her for being an un not allow the negative criticism about “I live her life,” Barrino said. educated mother from the country. her potential affect her progress on Fantasia walked out of Sister’s 10/1/09, Home, 7 p.m., Toccoa Falls Determined to overcome her tur the show. She said she remained con Chapel singing “Summertime,” and 10/2/09, Home, 6 p.m., Maryville moil, Barrino made a life-changing fident, keeping God first in her life. afterwards, students rushed to the 10/6/09, Home, 6:30 p.m., Piedmont decision to try out for “American “An idol is someone who is expect front to take photos and capture a fi Idol.” ed to be perfect but no one is perfect nal glance at the star. As a contestant on the popular re but the man upstairs,” she said. “I ATLANTA UNIVERSITY CENTER ion “The jaguar” Boyd emerged the VMAs, what would you do “Billie Jean” and “Thriller.” newing life through service, The AUC as Mr. AUC 2009, while Aman to prevent this as it pertains to Council members recognized but now I plan to first assist da “The snake” Green seized the the AUC?” Daniel’s performance to be re Amanda Green with her plat Council title of Miss AUC 2009. Boyd’s Some audience members cord-breaking because he com form in addition to also carry court also includes First Atten gasped at the question and ap pleted his painting in less than ing PEARLS,” said Myers, the crowns a dant Lionel “The lion” Daniels peared anxious for Gaynor’s re three minutes—the maximum first attendant to Miss AUC. and on Green’s court, Danielle sponse. time allotted to candidates dur Last spring, pageant organiz new king and “The phoenix” Myers. “I believe I have respect and ing the talent showcase. ers postponed the event because In order to partake in the pride for all the institutions in Sebastian Gaudin performed it struggled to requisition King queen voting process, the council the AUC in order to prevent a dance routine where he com Chapel as its venue. It was post asked supporters to donate a such happenings among the bined aspects of modern dance poned again this fall because of time conflicts with other events, Cherise Lesesne dollar as an indication of their AUC community.” along with jazz and ballet During the talent segment, movements. Gaynor said. News Editor desired vote. Consequently, the audience helped determine the Myers performed a spoken Green performed spoken “The most enjoyable part of winners by offering the most word verse titled, “A New Year.” word to Alicia Key’s “Why the the pageant is getting it done The Atlanta University Cen monetary support to the top Gaynor followed with “In Caged Bird Sings.” Boyd ended and finally being able to do the ter Council transformed Martin contestant. love with Another Woman, ” his the talent portion by also per show,” said Daniels, Mr. AUC’s Luther King Jr. International During the question and an rendition of Jazmine Sullivan’s forming his spoken word piece first attendant. Chapel into wild forest during swer portion, participants an “In love with Another Man.” titled “N.I.G.G.E.R.” All contestants received cer the 11th annual Mr. and Miss swered impromptu questions Green sang “Born to Love Donning formal attire, con- tificates of participation. The AUC pageant on Sept. 15. ranging from ways to improve Again” with a saxophone and testers shared their activities council, contestants and judges With the theme, “Welcome the AUC and the tragedy of Jas piano accompanist. and platforms in hopes of land also gave special awards such to the Jungle,” the AUC Council mine Lynn’s death to the 2009 Daniels followed up with ing the top title. Many aspi as “Most Improved,” “Mr.

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